With the perfect amount of cinnamon, little pockets of apples, and a sweet crumb topping, these Apple Cinnamon Muffins are the perfect way to start your day.
Looking for a way to use up those apples? Also try this German Apple Pancake or Apple Crisp.
I have been trying to change up our breakfast routine lately, as the kids are getting bored with eggs or cereal pretty much every morning. So I’ve been having fun making muffins once a week.
The kids asked for apple muffins, so I had to make these Apple Cinnamon Muffins! I have made them a few times now, and love them. I’ve made them both with the crumb topping and without, and they are actually very good both ways. I’m a sucker for a crumb topping, but if you want something a little less sweet, or if you are short on time, you can definitely leave off the crumb. These muffins are perfect for a sweet breakfast!
Tips
Here are a few tips for making the best muffins:
- Don’t overmix your batter. Mix just until everything is combined.
- You can use an ice cream scoop or a spring loaded scoop to fill the muffin tins. This helps you to get even amounts of batter in each tin.
- Don’t overbake your muffins. Dry muffins are not good muffins. Bake them just until a tester inserted in the middle comes out clean, or once you can touch the top of the muffin and the muffin springs back.
- Let the muffins sit in the tin for about 10 minutes before removing to serve.
- You can either bake muffins in a greased muffin tin or with paper liners.
When using apples in baking, you want to use an apple that will remain crisp. I like using granny smith, but honeycrisp or braeburn are also good choices. You just don’t want an apple that will turn to mush when it is baked.
People have used many different substitutions for the applesauce with great results, including Greek yogurt, crushed pineapple, sour cream, and even orange juice! There are some great substitution ideas in the comments.
This is a personal preference. I usually keep them on because I don’t mind the texture and it’s faster than peeling the apples. I also don’t worry about chopping the apple to fine. But if you don’t like the texture, you can peel the apples. Or many people have shredded the apple, as well!
More Muffins Recipes You Need
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Chocolate Zucchini Muffins
Cinnamon Muffins
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Apple Cinnamon Muffins
Ingredients
Muffins:
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 tablespoon cinnamon
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1 cup sugar
- 1/2 cup vegetable oil
- 2 eggs lightly beaten
- 1/3 cup unsweetened applesauce
- 1 1/2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- 1 1/2 cups chopped apples
Crumb Topping:
- 1/3 cup light brown sugar
- 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
- 1/4 teaspoon cinnamon
- 1 tablespoon butter cut into small pieces
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 375ºF. Grease a 12 cup muffin pan.
- In a medium bowl, stir together the flour, cinnamon, baking powder, baking soda and salt.
- In another bowl, stir together the oil and the sugar. Stir in the eggs, applesauce and vanilla. Pour the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients and stir just until combined. Gently stir in the apples.
- Spoon the mixture into the prepared muffin pan, dividing the batter equally between the cups.
- In a small bowl, combine the brown sugar, flour and cinnamon. Cut in the butter with a fork or a pastry blender until it resembles coarse crumbs. Sprinkle the crumb over the batter in the muffin pan.
- Bake the muffins until a tester inserted in the center comes out clean, about 20 minutes. Let the muffins sit in the pan before removing to a cooling rack to cool completely.
- Store any leftover muffins in an airtight container.
Kelly says
This recipe makes delicious apple muffins, my family loved them! I used yogurt instead of applesauce since I didn’t have any on hand.
Deborah says
I’m glad to hear yogurt worked well as a substitute. I’m so glad you enjoyed them!
pam foss says
can I use frozen apples, have tons in the freezer. defrosted or frozen, ???
Deborah says
I have not tried them with frozen apples, but I would think it would work. I would just add them in frozen. If you try it, let me know how it works out!
Thom says
I am a beginner cook, but when I made these as a trail run my wife gave me a 10. She actually went back for seconds. Thanks to you I appear to know what I’m doing. This recipe gets 5 stars and 2 thumbs up! I’m looking forward to trying more and more recipes. Keep them coming!
Deborah says
Thanks, Thom – I’m so glad they were such a hit!
Sheena says
We made these with fresh picked apples and store bought applesauce (because that’s all we had on hand) and they were so good!!! Can’t wait to try them with some homemade applesauce. Thank you for this recipe!!!!
CH says
Excellent recipe! Brought these to a potluck brunch and got many compliments. I used half whole wheat flour and grated the apples instead of chopping but otherwise followed the recipe. Definitely a keeper!
Hailey says
Amazing recipe. I used plain yogurt instead of applesauce because that’s what I had, and melted butter instead of vegetable oil. They are amazing.
Shea says
These are so delicious (and I never write reviews but I had to with this one)! I needed to make some muffins for our Christmas program tomorrow and wow they are so tasty! Definitely making these again! The only thing I did different was I used sweetened applesauce and not unsweetened, because that’s all I had in the fridge. Oh and I used real vanilla and not vanilla extract. Such wonderful flavor. Will be making over and over!
Darlene says
This recipe was rich and tasty. This is my new favorite cinnamon apple muffin recipe
Roberta Legault says
Very easy, tasty recipe that was a huge hit with my family. I will most definitely add this recipe to my go-to list for quick delicious breakfast or snack items.
Donna woods says
I do love this recip.it’s awesome
Caroline says
So delicious! I used a mashed old banana instead of applesauce since that’s all I had, and added raisins too.
Marie Yuen says
Just made these, they smell and taste amazing! A must try.
Kate says
Super yummy and very easy to make! I grew up on Jiffy Apple Cinnamon muffins which my husband is not a fan of. These are definitely a few million steps up from those. My hubby is very happy and my children gobble them up! Thank you so much